|
26 June 2020
A message from the leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran
Despite recent celebratory headlines about pubs reopening and range of other lockdown measures being eased, we need to remember that these changes don’t come into effect until next week. As far as this weekend is concerned, nothing has changed.
Some of the scenes we’ve seen of crowds on beaches and parties in streets have been appalling. As we gradually progress out of lockdown and life begins to return to some sort normality, we need to remember coronavirus is still a major risk.
We shouldn’t forget just how difficult and frightening the previous months have been. It’s not over yet, lives are still at stake, and we cannot afford to become complacent.
If you’re planning to head out this weekend for some shopping or to visit a park, remember to keep following the guidance. Make sure you socially distance, wear a face mask on public transport and be considerate of others.
If you are going shopping, please support your local high street businesses. They’re such an important part of Hounslow’s diversity and vibrancy, and need all the help they can get after being closed for months – shop safe, shop local.
Last week we launched a survey to help us better understand how coronavirus and lockdown has affected residents, and to get views on the Council’s response and what we could be doing better. Your views are really important in helping us understand the issues and will inform what we do. Please take a few minutes to fill it out. You can access it here.
Tomorrow is Armed Forces Day. We have a proud military history here in Hounslow - in 2017 we became the first Council to present the Freedom of the Borough honour to all of the British Legion branches - but obviously this year there are limits to what we can do to mark the occasion.
We will, however, be highlighting Hounslow’s long and historic links with the Armed Forces on our social media channels, so keep an eye on our Twitter feed. And people are being encouraged to take photos of themselves saluting, or sharing photos of their family’s military history. If you’re doing that, we’d love to see it, so please use #HounslowSalutes.
Have a great weekend, and stay safe.
|
Lockdown rules – nothing changes this weekend
Though several measures to further ease the lockdown have recently been announced by the Government, these have not yet been brought in. Most start next weekend, on 4 July.
The Government’s overarching guidance remains the same. Everyone must:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep your distance if you go out (two metres apart where possible)
- Wash your hands regularly
- Wear a face covering on the public transport network and in hospitals
- Wear a face covering in enclosed or busy spaces, such as shops
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of a high temperature, or a new, continuous cough or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste.
You still cannot:
- Visit friends and family inside their homes (unless in a support bubble or for other limited circumstances)
- Stay away from your home or your support bubble household overnight, except for in a limited set of circumstances
- Exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool
- Use an outdoor gym or playground
- Dine inside any restaurant or pub
- Gather outdoors in a group of more than six (unless exclusively with members of your own household or support bubble or for one of the limited set of circumstances)
For more information, read the Government’s updated Q&A document on what you can and cannot do.
Salute our forces tomorrow - Armed Forces Day 2020
Salute Our Forces is a simple way for anyone to pay tribute on Armed Forces Day tomorrow to the British Armed Forces.
It's a way to say thank you for their hard work, dedication and efforts to keep us safe in the UK and across the globe.
You can take part in Hounslow's tribute by submitting a photo of you saluting and sharing this on your social media along with #HounslowSalutes. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook or Twitter and we will share the images on our social media channels.
|
Shop local and stay safe
High street retailers and department stores, including book shops, electronics retailers, tailors, auction houses, photography studios, indoor markets, and shops selling clothes, shoes and toys, have reopened this week. We’ve been working with local businesses to ensure the safety of shoppers and retail staff.
|
Please continue to follow current social distancing guidance when travelling to or visiting our local shops. To control the risk of infection and to shop safely, residents should follow this advice:
- Follow the signage and guidance in the high streets, shopping centres and shops
- Keep a safe distance from one another
- Shops are operating on a ‘one-in-one-out’ system - please follow the rules
- You are advised to wear a face covering inside the shop, if you can't keep a safe distance from other people
- Don't touch items that you don't intend to buy
- Use contactless payments where possible
- Don't visit shops if you have symptoms - please stay home
- Wash your hands the moment you get home or arrive at work
- Travel by bike or car and avoid public transport where possible
- If using public transport, you must wear a face covering
Additional signage has been installed in shopping areas to remind people to maintain safe distances.
Read the latest guidance for people who work in, or run shops here, further guidance on how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic can be found here.
|
|
Face coverings
Face coverings must be worn for the full duration of journeys on public transport. Operators will be able to refuse travel or issue penalty fines for those who fail to wear a face covering, in a similar way to the rules on having a ticket for travel.
Wherever possible, people should continue to avoid public transport and walk, cycle or drive to free up limited spaces available to those who have no alternative way to travel. You should also avoid busy stations and peak times (5.45-8.15am and 4-5.30pm).
Hospital visitors and staff must wear face coverings, and they should also be used by people in enclosed or busy spaces, such as shops.
|
No barbecues permitted in Hounslow parks and open spaces
Hounslow Council is warning residents and visitors to avoid breaching the law concerning the usage of barbecues in parks and open spaces.
It is against longstanding local bylaws to light fires in any of the borough's parks and green spaces, protecting our parks, heathland, woodland and local wildlife from the risks of potential fires.
Barbecues have a negative impact on the environment as they emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and regularly leave behind scorched patches of burned grass that take months to recover.
Please report any barbeques you see throughout green spaces to our Enforcement Team by visiting our website.
|
Lung Health Awareness Week
This week is Lung Health Awareness Week and the theme is ‘love your lungs’
Living with a lung condition can be hard. Coronavirus and lockdown have potentially made things even harder for some; people living with a severe lung condition are potentially at a higher risk from coronavirus.
The British Lung Foundation (BLF) has a support line open Monday to Friday, 9am- 5pm, please call or visit their website for additional support/advice:
Love your lungs health awareness week runs from 22 June – 28 June 2020.
For those that have been diagnosed with a lung condition and are a smoker, now is the time to consider quitting. Smokers are at higher risk of lung infections and of severe complications from coronavirus. Quitting is a positive step you can take to reduce your risk. Find out how #QuitForCovid - nhs.uk/smokefree
OneYou Hounslow provides some useful guidance, information and advice on helping you to quit smoking. Find out more on the OneYou Hounslow website.
|
Mobile testing unit - next available dates
The coronavirus test centres form an essential part of the national testing programme and in addition to ongoing testing centres, the mobile testing unit will be open on, Monday 29 June and Tuesday 30 June at Grasshoppers’ Rugby Club, Syon Lane, Osterley, Isleworth, TW7 5PN.
Appointments are open for both Monday 29 June and Tuesday 30 June at Grasshoppers' Mobile Testing Unit from 8pm on Saturday 27 June. You can visit our website for more information on how to register and book your test.
|
Advice for businesses and venues reopening on Saturday 4 July
From 4 July hospitality businesses, such as pubs, restaurants and cafes, will be allowed to reopen, but must continue to follow strict social distancing and safety guidance to keep customers and staff safe.
All indoor hospitality businesses will be table service only, and contact between staff and customers should be limited. Customers will also have to give contact details when they enter a pub or restaurant, in the event that a local outbreak is detected.
Businesses will be expected to monitor crowd density in their premises, especially at bottleneck points - such as doorways.
The following businesses will be permitted to open, provided they have the necessary coronavirus secure protection in place:
-
All indoor and outside hospitality that are self-contained and can be accessed from the outside. This includes restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and workplace canteens
-
Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses
-
Places of Worship (Weddings of up to 30 people allowed – providing social distancing is followed)
-
Community Centres, libraries, and social clubs
-
Hair salons and barbers, including mobile businesses
-
Cinemas, theatres and concert halls, though live performances are not to take place
-
Funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities
-
Outdoor gyms and playgrounds
-
Museums and galleries
-
Bingo halls
-
Outdoor skating rinks
-
Amusement arcades and other entertainment centres
-
Indoor attractions at aquariums, zoos, safari parks, farms, wildlife centres
-
Indoor and outdoor areas of visitor attractions including, gardens, heritage sites, film studios, landmarks, and model villages
A full list of businesses that can open from 4 July and those that must remain closed, can be found here.
The Government has also issued updated guidance for businesses beginning the process of reopening from the coronavirus lockdown.
These guides for businesses cover the basic steps to reopening, with more specific guides focussing on different types of businesses. You can access each of the guides below:
Employers that want to reopen their business have a legal responsibility to protect their employees and other people on site. Use this guidance to help you carry out a risk assessment and make sensible adjustments to the site and workforce.
There is also a downloadable poster that can be displayed on your premises to inform staff and customers you are staying coronavirus secure.
You can find more information about the support available for businesses, self-employed and employees on our website.
|
Reopening of businesses and NHS Test and Trace service
The opening up of the economy following the coronavirus outbreak is being supported by NHS Test and Trace.
In order to assist contact tracers of this service businesses should keep a temporary record of their customers and visitors for 21 days, in a way that is manageable for their business, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. This could help contain clusters or outbreaks.
Many businesses that take bookings already have systems for recording their customers and visitors – including restaurants, hotels, and hair salons. If you are running a business and do not already do this, you should do so to help fight the virus. The Government is working with industry and relevant bodies to design this system in line with data protection legislation. The guidance and details will be available soon.
You can find more information about the support available for businesses, self-employed and employees on our website.
|
Be scam aware
The past two weeks have been Scams Awareness fortnight (15-28 June).
Recently fraudsters have been using the current pandemic to their advantage, tricking people into parting with their personal details that could put them at financial risk.
This includes letters, fraudulent websites or text messages that you may receive claiming to offer you a tax rebate due to the coronavirus pandemic, the offer of free PPE or even claims of a ‘miracle cure’ or testing kits.
Over the last week or two there have been a number of scams around test and trace. Please remember that no test and trace call or text will ask for bank or payment details, ask for social media details, require any kind on PIN number to be setup or ask you to call a premium rate phone number (those starting 09 or 087).
Here’s some other top tips to help people spot the scam and keep yourself safe from fraud. A message might be a scam if:
-
it seems too good to be true – for example, anything that is much cheaper than you’d expect
-
someone you don’t know contacts you unexpectedly and asks for personal information like passwords or PINS – do not give personal details to someone you don’t know
-
If you suspect you’re not dealing with a real company – for example, there’s limited company details, only a mobile number, no address
-
If you’re asked to transfer money quickly or to a new account via social media or email – always confirm a new payment verbally in person or by using a number you’ve used before. Never transfer money for goods that you haven’t physically seen
-
When you’ve been asked to pay in an unusual way – for example, by iTunes or Amazon vouchers or through a transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union.
Remember: Stop; Challenge; Protect
If you do become the victim of fraud you can report it to ActionFraud / 0300 123 2040.
For more information on scams, and how to report those you encounter, please visit our website.
|
Sick pay help for small businesses
Small businesses and employers across the UK who have paid statutory sick pay to staff taking coronavirus-related leave are able to claim back the money.
The scheme allows small and medium sized employers, with fewer than 250 members of staff, to apply to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay for two weeks.
This is worth nearly £200 per employee.
To get the rebate, employers will need to go online and input simple information on the employees being claimed for.
You can find out more about the scheme on the Government’s website.
|
Learn Hounslow digital skills course
Learn Hounslow is running a wide range of free online courses. There is something for everyone: Employment and Business Support, Fitness, Art, Sewing, Pottery and much more. Share with friends and family or join yourself. For information and a full list of courses visit their website.
Learn to work effectively with your team by enrolling on a Digital Skills course.
Improve your digital skills, learn how to collaborative in real time on spreadsheets, documents and presentations
Courses starting next week:
- Digital spreadsheet basics - Google sheets
- Digital documents basics - Google docs
- Digital skills for employment
Call the team on 0208 583 6000 to enrol on the Digital Skills course.
|
Hounslow employment and career workshops
Do you have any queries about finding employment? Thinking of changing your career? Then come along to one of our online workshops!
The first Employment Support and Career Option Question Time is on Tuesday 30 June from 3.30-5.00pm. The second workshop is on Wednesday 1 July from 10.00-11.30am.
For more information about these workshops and to book a place call 0208 583 6000.
|
Helping older people to stay active at home
Active at Home for older adults is the new booklet from Public Health England which provides practical guidance to older adults on activities they can undertake at home in order to maintain their strength and balance.
It has been designed to help prevention of physical deconditioning that increases risk of falls, loss of physical capacity and increased need for care during the coronavirus pandemic.
You can visit the One You Hounslow website for more ideas on how to stay active and fit at home.
|
Survey on coronavirus impact and the Council's response
The Council has launched a survey to learn about the impacts of coronavirus on the borough. We would like to know how you and the people you live with have been affected, hear your thoughts about the future and the type of support you may need. Please also share your opinions on how the Council has responded and what we could do better.
This survey is completely anonymous and you don’t have to answer every question. Your views are really important in helping us understand the issues and will inform and influence what we do.
|
St John’s Gardens Playground Tree Stump Art
Greenspace 360 staff have supported the Friends of St John Gardens in Isleworth by applying final weatherproof treatments to wildlife sculptures carved from old climbing stumps. The creative artist responsible for the natural artworks also received design input from pupils at Isleworth Town Primary School.
|
Culture and entertainment to enjoy at home
Take a tour of Hounslow’s artists and makers through Virtual Studios this summer
Artists can’t invite you into their studios right now, so instead they’re doing the next best thing—giving you an insight into their work, their process, and what motivates them on Instagram.
Between 27 June and 5 July 2020 artists will be using #virtualstudioswest to post video snapshots of painting, fashion, jewellery, photography, music, and dance! There will be how-to guides, time lapses, interviews, performances, and opportunities to meet the artist.
To take the Virtual Studios tour, follow #virtualstudioswest or @creativenetworkwest on Instagram from 27 June, or visit their website.
|
Stay connected with Bell Square to hear about the latest art shows
Bell Square isn't able to put on shows at the moment due to the Government's coronavirus guidelines. But as soon as it's safe for audiences, staff and artists look forward to welcoming you all back to top quality, free outdoor arts shows. Since Bell Square is an outdoor venue, they very much hope this will be sooner rather than later! In the meantime, do sign up to their social media channels @BellSquareLDN to keep in touch and see some great outdoor arts from around the world while they're closed, or sign up to their email newsletters here.
Above is an image of a really exciting show by company Justice in Motion that they would have had a couple of weeks ago and hope to bring back in the future. It features international parkour athletes and physical theatre performers, creating a visually stunning show with a strong social message - exploring issues of modern salvery and forced labour within the construction industry. At Bell Square, they aim to tell the stories that affect us all, and this is a great example of how performance can tell really important stories in an engaging, exciting and accessible way.
|
Join Trinjan's meetings
The award-winning local women’s group, Trinjan, would like to extend an invitation to other women in the borough who may be feeling lonely and anxious to join their online meetings every Friday. Their weekly meet-ups are always full of fun with a variety of topics each week such as cooking, gardening tips, learning Spanish or just a simple sing-a-long. This is also an opportunity to share your experiences with other women in the same situation during the lockdown.
To join the weekly meetings please contact Trinjan via WhatsApp on 0794 652 5622 or on their website.
|
OurParks New Sessions
OurParks has been providing outdoor physical activity sessions in Redlees and Hanworth Parks in Hounslow. Since the end of March all classes have temporarily moved online. Over 10 classes are currently available for free online per day on their Facebook Live and Youtube Live social media channels. New lunchtime sessions are now available so you can access a range of sessions at any time of the day.
|
Osterley National Trust and House has reopened
Just in time for the nice weather to enjoy a lovely stroll! The National Trust has reopened the gardens and car park at Osterley Park and House. You will need to book your garden and carpark visit in advance. Check What’s On for the latest information and to book here.You will be turned away if you arrive without a booking
|
Take part in the Virtual London Youth Games-only one week left
The LYG Virtual Games is open to all children and young people from Hounslow, who can compete in twelve challenges to earn points for Hounslow. A leaderboard with the latest Borough standings is updated every week.
The LYG Virtual Games started earlier this month and finishes on 4 July, giving children and young people the chance to represent Hounslow in a series of sport related challenges that can be done at home, school, or while out for daily exercise.
A total of 5,605 entries were recorded across the three challenges in the first week with representation from all 33 London Boroughs. Hounslow is currently in 19th place.
All the challenges relate to different sports and have been set by young Londoners, for young Londoners. Individual prizes are also up for grabs. Young people are encouraged to share videos of their challenge attempts on social media using #ThisIsLYG to be in with a chance of winning the weekly MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.
For the latest information and to join the Hounslow LYG team visit the LGY website.
|
Online resources for health, education and wellbeing
New for adults, young people, children and families;
BBC Sounds Need some music to accompany your morning run or home workout? Try out these new pace setter mixes. From dance hits to upbeat pop these tunes will keep you motivated.
Autism Hounslow every Tuesday and Thursday there is an opportunity to try and learn Shintaido - a Japanese Martial Art - through online sessions designed specifically for autistic people to ease the mind, tone the body and meet people who understand because like you they love and care for an autistic child.
Osterley National Trust Park and Garden The garden and car park at Osterley have reopened, you’ll need to book your tickets by 3pm the day before your visit. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. Tickets are released every Friday.
Active at Home for older adults the new booklet from Public Health England provides practical guidance to older adults on activities they can undertake at home in order to maintain their strength and balance.
LYG Virtual Games is open to all children and young people from Hounslow until 4th July. There is still time to get involved- check out the leader board with the latest Borough standings which is updated every week. #ThisIsLYG.
Hounslow Cycling sessions in conjunction with Bikeworks, is for anyone who lives, works or studies in the borough. Free ‘Dr Bike’ bike servicing also available, click here for the schedule.
NHS Fitness Studio has some great new workout routines that you can do anytime, anywhere including, aerobics, belly dancing, pilates and yoga.
Visit oneyouhounslow.org for more support and information.
Latest information and advice
If you think you know someone who’d like to receive this e-newsletter, forward it on and they can subscribe here.
You can also follow us on social media using the links below.
|
